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IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Date 2026: Official Schedule, Shift Timings & 11,663 Vacancies

R
Virat
Updated: Oct 4, 2026
29 MIN READ

The official IBPS Clerk Exam Date 2026 has been confirmed, with the Preliminary examination scheduled to take place on 10 and 11 October 2026. IBPS has officially issued an updated vacancy annexure as of 29 September 2026 under the CRP-CSA-XVI recruitment cycle. Following this revision, the total number of Customer Service Associate (CSA) vacancies has increased to 11,663, up from the initial 11,403 posts.

Candidates can find comprehensive details regarding the latest vacancy distribution, eligibility requirements, application steps, updated exam patterns, salary structures, selection procedures, and other vital updates in this article.

Official IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Schedule

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has finalized the examination timeline alongside the official notification. The Preliminary Examination is set for 10 and 11 October 2026, with multiple shifts scheduled across test centers nationwide. Successful candidates from the Prelims stage will then advance to the Mains Examination, which is slated for 27 December 2026.

Event Date
Notification 27 July 2026
Online Application Starts 1 August 2026
Last Date to Submit Form and Fee 28 August 2026
Application Correction Window
2 Days
Pre-Examination Training (PET) 3rd October 2026
Prelims Admit Card 1st October 2026
Prelims Examination
10 & 11 October 2026
Prelims Result November 2026
Mains Admit Card December 2026
Mains Examination 27 December 2026
Mains Result January 2027
Provisional Allotment March 2027

IBPS Clerk Admit Card 2026 Available Now

Prelims Examination Shift Timings

Shift 1 Shift 2 Shift 3 Shift 4
  • Reporting Time: 8 AM
  • Handwriting Sample: 8:55 AM
  • Exam Time: 9 to 10 AM
  • Reporting Time: 10:30 AM
  • Handwriting Sample: 11:25 AM
  • Exam Time: 11:30 to 12:30 PM
  • Reporting Time: 1 PM
  • Handwriting Sample: 1:55 PM
  • Exam Time: 2 to 3 PM
  • Reporting Time: 3:30 PM
  • Handwriting Sample: 4:25 PM
  • Exam Time: 4:30 to 5:30 PM

IBPS Clerk 2026 Official Notification

The IBPS Clerk 2026 recruitment drive provides a golden opportunity to join one of 11 leading public sector banks, including Bank of Baroda, PNB, Canara Bank, and others, under the Common Recruitment Process (CRP CSA-XVI). The official notification PDF is now live on the IBPS portal; you can access the full recruitment details through our provided link.

Download Official IBPS Clerk 2026 Notification PDF

IBPS Clerk Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights

Particulars Details
Recruitment
IBPS Clerk/Customer Service Associate 2026
Recruitment Cycle CRP-CSA-XVI
Earlier Indicative Vacancies 11,403
Latest Updated Vacancies 11,663
Increase 260
Vacancy Update Date 29 September 2026
Preliminary Exam
10 and 11 October 2026
Main Exam 27 December 2026

Updated IBPS Clerk Vacancies 2026

IBPS has announced a revised total of 11,663 vacancies for the Clerk/Customer Service Associate (CSA) role across participating banks. These figures are provisional and subject to adjustment by participating banks based on operational needs. Detailed state-wise and category-wise vacancy breakdowns can be reviewed in the sections below.

Download Official IBPS Clerk 2026 Vacancy Annexure PDF

State-Wise IBPS Clerk Vacancies

S. No. State/UT SC ST OBC (NCL) EWS UR Total
1 Andaman & Nicobar 0 1 5 1 12 19
2 Andhra Pradesh 34 11 55 16 82 198
3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 19 0 4 22 45
4 Assam 26 41 99 31 157 354
5 Bihar 89 1 146 42 213 491
6 Chandigarh 4 0 4 1 11 20
7 Chhattisgarh 33 82 13 23 114 265
8 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 0 6 1 1 10 18
9 Daman & Diu 0 0 1 0 6 7
10 Delhi 65 36 127 36 157 421
11 Goa 0 5 10 5 41 61
12 Gujarat 55 113 206 68 319 761
13 Haryana 40 0 56 15 88 199
14 Himachal Pradesh 25 4 18 8 42 97
15 Jammu & Kashmir 2 6 17 4 39 68
16 Jharkhand 19 45 21 14 83 182
17 Karnataka 231 101 391 143 592 1,458
18 Kerala 10 0 32 11 68 121
19 Ladakh 0 0 0 0 6 6
20 Lakshadweep 0 4 0 1 6 11
21 Madhya Pradesh 91 114 99 49 223 576
22 Maharashtra 120 96 294 95 457 1,062
23 Manipur 0 12 3 3 24 42
24 Meghalaya 0 4 0 1 17 22
25 Mizoram 0 6 0 0 13 19
26 Nagaland 0 11 0 2 18 31
27 Odisha 55 73 40 30 147 345
28 Puducherry 1 0 5 1 20 27
29 Punjab 150 0 107 40 190 487
30 Rajasthan 69 57 86 35 163 410
31 Sikkim 0 4 4 3 17 28
32 Tamil Nadu 140 5 216 59 278 698
33 Telangana 31 19 48 18 84 200
34 Tripura 10 17 0 5 33 65
35 Uttar Pradesh 375 18 515 165 679 1,752
36 Uttarakhand 25 2 17 11 91 146
37 West Bengal 236 49 227 83 356 951
— Total 1,935 1,087 2,869 1,026 5,141 11,663

Participating Banks for IBPS Clerk 2026

  • Bank of India
  • Central Bank of India
  • Punjab National Bank
  • Union Bank of India
  • Bank of Maharashtra
  • Indian Bank
  • Punjab & Sind Bank
  • Bank of Baroda
  • Canara Bank
  • Indian Overseas Bank
  • UCO Bank

Analysis of Previous Years’ Vacancy Trends

IBPS Clerk Recruitment Year Number of Vacancies Filled
2026 11,663
2025 15,751
2024 11,796
2023 4,545
2022 6,635
2021 7,858
2020 8,163

IBPS Clerk 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must ensure they meet the following essential eligibility requirements for the Clerk/Customer Service Associate position as mandated by IBPS:

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must satisfy the citizenship criteria as prescribed by the government.

  • A Citizen of India, or
  • A Subject of Nepal, or
  • A Subject of Bhutan, or
  • A Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
  • A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Age Limit (as of 1/8/2026)

Applicants must be between 20 and 28 years of age.

Category Age relaxation
Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Persons affected by the 1984 riots 5 years
Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) 3 years
Persons With Disabilities 10 years
Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen the actual period of service rendered in the Defence forces + 3 years (8 years for Disabled Ex-Servicemen belonging to SC/ST) subject to a maximum age limit of 50 years
Widows, divorced women and women legally separated from their husbands who have not remarried 9 years

Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a graduation degree from a recognized university. The degree must be fully completed with results declared before the cutoff eligibility date, as documentation will be verified during the selection process.

Computer Literacy Standards

Applicants must possess basic computer proficiency, evidenced by a relevant certificate or coursework. Additionally, candidates are expected to be proficient in the official language of the state or Union Territory for which they are applying. Ex-servicemen may meet specific alternative criteria based on years of service.

How to Apply for IBPS Clerk 2026

The IBPS Clerk 2026 application process is exclusively online. Candidates should register on the official website, carefully upload all required documentation, and remit the application fee. Always cross-check your data before finalizing your submission.

Application Fee Structure

The non-refundable application fee for IBPS Clerk is Rs. 850/- for General and other categories, and Rs. 175/- for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

Payment can be completed via internet banking, credit/debit cards, BHIM UPI, or other secure digital payment methods.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for IBPS Clerk 2026

  1. Visit the official IBPS website.
  2. Open the CRP CSA-XVI recruitment link.
  3. Click on “New Registration”.
  4. Enter the required basic details.
  5. Upload photograph and signature.
  6. Fill in educational and other details.
  7. Select the applicable state/UT.
  8. Pay the application fee.
  9. Preview the application.
  10. Submit and save the application form.

IBPS Clerk 2026 Selection Procedure

The selection for the Customer Service Associate role involves two primary stages: Prelims and Mains exams.

Stage Details
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam
The Preliminary Exam is the first and qualifying stage of the selection process. Candidates who meet the required sectional and overall cut-off marks are shortlisted for the Mains Examination.
Stage 2: Mains Exam
The Mains Examination pattern has been revised this year. It is the most important stage, as the final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains Exam.

Mandatory Local Language Proficiency Test

Candidates who clear the Mains stage must pass a Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT) to demonstrate their communication skills in the language of the state or Union Territory for which they applied. Exemptions may apply for candidates who have studied the specified language in their 10th or 12th-grade curriculum.

Revised IBPS Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern

Detailed examination patterns for both the Prelims and Mains stages are provided below:

IBPS Clerk Prelims Examination Pattern

  • Mode: Online
  • Duration: 60 Minutes
  • Total Questions: 100
  • Maximum Marks: 100
  • Sections: English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude
  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer
Sr. No. Name of Test Medium of Examination No. of Questions Maximum Marks Time Allotted
1 English Language English 30 30 20 Minutes
2 Numerical Ability English & Hindi* 35 35 20 Minutes
3 Reasoning Ability English & Hindi* 35 35 20 Minutes
Total – – 100 100 60 Minutes

Revised IBPS Clerk Mains Examination Pattern

  • Mode: Online
  • Duration: 125 Minutes (5 minutes increased)
  • Total Questions: 160 (5 questions increased)
  • Maximum Marks: 200
  • Sectional Timing: Separate time allotted for each section
  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
Sr. No. Name of Test (Not by Sequence) Medium of Examination No. of Questions Maximum Marks Time Allotted
1 General/Financial Awareness English & Hindi* 40 50 20 Minutes
2 General English English 40 40 35 Minutes
3 Reasoning Ability English & Hindi* 40 60 35 Minutes
4 Quantitative Aptitude English & Hindi* 40 50 35 Minutes
Total – – 160 200 125 Minutes
Does the IBPS Clerk exam feature sectional cut-offs?
Yes, the IBPS Clerk examination applies sectional cut-offs for both the Prelims and Mains stages. Applicants are required to achieve the minimum qualifying score in each section to progress toward final selection.

IBPS Clerk Examination Language Options

The IBPS Clerk Prelims and Mains will be administered in various regional languages across all states and Union Territories.

Sr. No. State/UT
Medium of Examination
1 Andaman & Nicobar
English and Hindi
2 Andhra Pradesh
English, Hindi and Telugu
3 Arunachal Pradesh
English and Hindi
4 Assam
English, Hindi and Assamese
5 Bihar
English and Hindi
6 Chandigarh
English and Hindi
7 Chhattisgarh
English and Hindi
8 Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and Konkani
9 Delhi (NCT)
English and Hindi
10 Goa
English, Hindi and Konkani
11 Gujarat
English, Hindi and Gujarati
12 Haryana
English and Hindi
13 Himachal Pradesh
English and Hindi
14 Jammu & Kashmir
English, Hindi and Urdu
15 Jharkhand
English and Hindi
16 Karnataka
English, Hindi, Kannada and Konkani
17 Kerala
English, Hindi and Malayalam
18 Ladakh
English and Hindi
19 Lakshadweep
English, Hindi and Malayalam
20 Madhya Pradesh
English and Hindi
21 Maharashtra
English, Hindi, Marathi and Konkani
22 Manipur
English, Hindi and Manipuri
23 Meghalaya
English and Hindi
24 Mizoram
English and Hindi
25 Nagaland
English and Hindi
26 Odisha
English, Hindi and Odia
27 Puducherry
English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam
28 Punjab
English, Hindi and Punjabi
29 Rajasthan
English and Hindi
30 Sikkim
English and Hindi
31 Tamil Nadu
English, Hindi and Tamil
32 Telangana
English, Hindi, Telugu and Urdu
33 Tripura
English, Hindi and Bengali
34 Uttar Pradesh
English, Hindi and Urdu
35 Uttarakhand
English and Hindi
36 West Bengal
English, Hindi and Bengali

IBPS Clerk 2026 Syllabus Coverage

The Prelims syllabus covers Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. The Mains examination includes these subjects plus General/Financial Awareness and Computer Knowledge.

Quantitative Aptitude
Reasoning
English
Number Series
Seating Arrangements
Cloze Test
Data Interpretation
Puzzles
Reading Comprehension
Simplification/ Approximation
Inequalities
Spotting Errors
Quadratic Equation
Syllogism
Sentence Improvement
Data Sufficiency
Input-Output
Sentence Correction
Mensuration
Data Sufficiency
Para Jumbles
Average
Blood Relations
Fill in the Blanks
Profit and Loss
Order and Ranking
Para/Sentence Completion
Ratio and Proportion
Alphanumeric Series
Work, Time, and Energy
Distance and Direction
Time and Distance
Verbal Reasoning
Probability
Relations
Simple and Compound Interest
Permutation and Combination

For a comprehensive breakdown of the syllabus and effective preparation strategies, click the link here.

Strategic Selection of Bank Preferences

Candidates must carefully rank their preferred participating banks during the application process. As these choices remain fixed once the allotment process begins, it is vital to research each bank's regional presence and career prospects.

Expert Tip: Evaluate all participating banks and create a preference list aligned with your long-term personal and professional goals.

  1. Check Bank Presence in Your State/Region – Give higher preference to banks that have a strong branch network in your state or hometown for better posting chances.
  2. Consider Work Environment & Growth – Research the career growth, work culture, and transfer policies of each bank before deciding.
  3. Posting & Transfer Policy – Some banks have frequent inter-state transfers, while others prefer intra-state postings. Pick according to your comfort.
  4. Language Requirements – Ensure you meet the local language criteria for the state you are applying from.

Pre-Exam Training (PET) for IBPS Clerk 2026

IBPS conducts optional pre-examination training for candidates from SC, ST, and minority communities at designated centers. Interested candidates must select this option during the online registration process.

North Zone Centres
South Zone Centres
East Zone Centres
West Zone Centres
Agra
Bengaluru
Agartala
Ahmedabad
Allahabad
Chennai
Balasore
Aurangabad
Amritsar
Coimbatore
Behrampur (Ganjam)
Bhopal
Bareilly
Gulbarga
Bhubaneshwar
Indore
Chandigarh
Hyderabad
Dhanbad
Jabalpur
Dehradun
Kavaratti
Guwahati
Jaipur
Gorakhpur
Kochi
Hubli
Jodhpur
Jammu
Madurai
Kolkata
Mumbai
Kanpur
Mangalore
Muzaffarpur
Nagpur
Karnal
Mysore
Patna
Panaji (Goa)
Lucknow
Port Blair
Ranchi
Pune
Ludhiana
Puducherry
Sambalpur
Raipur
New Delhi
Thiruchirapalli
Shillong
Rajkot
Patiala
Thiruvananthapuram
Siliguri
Vadodara
Rohtak
Vijaywada
Tirupati
–
Shimla
Vishakhapatnam
–
–
Varanasi
–
–
–

IBPS Clerk 2026 Salary and Career Growth

The starting IBPS Clerk salary features a basic pay of Rs. 24,050 per month, supplemented by various perks including DA, HRA, and medical allowances. Click the link below for a full overview of salary increments and promotional pathways.

Salary Component
Amount (in Rs.)
Pay Scale
24050-1340/3-28070-1650/3-33020-2000/4-41020-2340/7-57400-4400/1-61800-2680/1-64480 (20 Years)
Basic Pay
Rs 24,050
House Rent Allowance
Rs 2739.83
Dearness Allowance
Rs 4769.12
SPL DA
Rs 1114.23
Transport Allowance
Rs 850
TA DA
Rs 133.71
Gross Salary
Rs 40,720.34

Accessing IBPS Clerk Previous Year Question Papers

Reviewing previous years' question papers is essential for understanding the examination's difficulty level and question structure. Practicing with these papers provides an authentic experience for your preparation journey.

Check out our: IBPS Clerk Previous Year Question Papers Collection

Understanding Previous Year Cut-Offs

The IBPS Clerk cut-off scores vary annually based on vacancy volume, total test-takers, and exam difficulty. Analyzing previous cut-offs is crucial for establishing your target score during revision.

IBPS Clerk Previous Year Cut Off Marks (Prelims 2024)
States/UT
General
EWS/SC/OBC/ST
Andhra Pradesh
77.5
–
Arunachal Pradesh
71
–
Assam
83.75
OBC – 82.25 / SC – 81.25
Bihar
79.5
OBC – 79.5
Chhattisgarh
77
OBC – 77
Chandigarh
81.5
–
Delhi
80.75
SC – 75.25 /OBC – 78.25
Gujarat
77.25
ST – 67.75
Goa
–
OBC – 68
Himachal Pradesh
–
ST – 83
Haryana
83
–
Jammu & Kashmir
86.25
–
Jharkhand
83.5
–
Kerala
–
OBC – 81
Madhya Pradesh
73
SC – 74.5
Maharashtra
73
ST – 69.50
Manipur
–
OBC – 70.25
Meghalaya
–
ST – 73.50
Odisha
86.75
–
Punjab
81.25
SC – 70 / OBC – 79.75
Rajasthan
83.25
EWS – 83.25
Karnataka
64.75
–
Telangana
68.25
–
Uttar Pradesh
79
OBC – 79 / SC – 70.75 / ESM – 56
Uttarakhand
–
–
West Bengal
87.75
SC – 80.25
Tamil Nadu
–
OBC – 63.25
Tripura
80.25
ST – 71
Sikkim
41
–

IBPS Clerk 2026 Examination Centers

Candidates may select their preferred exam centers for Prelims and Mains during the registration process. Exam locations are finalized by IBPS and listed on the admit card; choose your centers strategically as they cannot be changed post-submission.

State/UT
Preliminary Exam Centres
Main Exam Centres
Andaman & Nicobar
Port Blair
Port Blair
Andhra Pradesh
Chirala, Chittoor, Eluru, Guntur, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam, Tirupati, Vijaywada, Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagaram
Guntur, Kurnool, Vijaywada, Vishakhapatnam
Arunachal Pradesh
Naharlagun
Naharlagun
Assam
Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur
Guwahati, Silchar
Bihar
Arrah, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea
Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Patna
Chandigarh
Chandigarh/Mohali
Chandigarh/Mohali
Chhattisgarh
Bhilai Nagar, Bilaspur, Raipur
Raipur
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Surat, Jamnagar
Surat
Daman & Diu
(Not specified)
(Not specified)
Delhi
Delhi/New Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram
Delhi/New Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram
Goa
Panaji
Panaji
Gujarat
Ahmedabad, Anand, Gandhinagar, Himatnagar, Jamnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara
Ahmedabad, Vadodara
Haryana
Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram, Hissar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Yamuna Nagar
Ambala, Hissar
Himachal Pradesh
Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Una
Hamirpur, Shimla
Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu, Samba, Srinagar
Jammu, Srinagar
Jharkhand
Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi
Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Ranchi
Karnataka
Bengaluru, Belgaum, Bidar, Davangere, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Hassan, Hubli, Mandya, Mangalore, Mysore, Shimoga, Udupi
Bengaluru, Hubli, Mangalore
Kerala
Alappuzha, Kannur, Kochi, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichur
Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram
Lakshadweep
Kavaratti
Kavaratti
Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Ujjain
Bhopal, Indore
Maharashtra
Amravati, Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai/Thane/Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Ratnagiri, Solapur
Aurangabad, Mumbai/Thane/Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune
Manipur
Imphal
Imphal
Meghalaya
Shillong
Shillong
Mizoram
Aizawl
Aizawl
Nagaland
Kohima
Kohima
Odisha
Balasore, Berhampur (Ganjam), Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sambalpur
Bhubaneshwar
Puducherry
Puducherry
Puducherry
Punjab
Amritsar, Bhatinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Pathankot, Patiala, Sangrur
Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala
Rajasthan
Ajmer, Alwar, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur
Jaipur, Udaipur
Sikkim
Bardang/Gangtok
Bardang/Gangtok
Tamil Nadu
Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Madurai, Nagercoil, Salem, Thanjavur, Thiruchirapalli, Tirunelvelli, Vellore, Virudhunagar
Chennai, Madurai, Tirunelveli
Telangana
Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Warangal
Hyderabad
Tripura
Agartala
Agartala
Uttar Pradesh
Agra, Aligarh, Allahabad, Banda, Bareilly, Faizabad, Ghaziabad, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Noida/Greater Noida, Sitapur, Varanasi
Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi
Uttarakhand
Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee
Dehradun
West Bengal
Asansol, Durgapur, Greater Kolkata, Hooghly, Kalyani, Siliguri
Asansol, Greater Kolkata, Kalyani, Siliguri

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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